Alexander has 2nd ACL surgery

Say goodbye to a player who flashed brilliance, but could never stay healthy...
Bolts' Alexander had 2nd ACL surgeryBy Michael Gehlken
8 P.M.FEB. 6, 2014

Danario Alexander devoted months to knee rehab, working to return from an August injury as soon as possible.

It won't happen as soon as first hoped.

The Chargers wide receiver recently underwent additional surgery to repair the right knee injury that ended his 2013 season, sources said. The revision ACL surgery, performed in January as a follow-up to the primary reconstruction done in August, delays the original timetable for the impending free agent's return to football activities.

It also complicates whether he'll remain in San Diego next season, the chances appearing unlikely.

On March 11, Alexander will become an unrestricted free agent. He may be unavailable for the July start of training camp.

Medical issues are the one concern for a young, dynamic playmaker.

Alexander, as a midseason signing, was fantastic in 2012 for the Chargers. He caught 37 passes for 658 yards and seven touchdowns in the final nine games, all team highs in that span. He then was their most impressive receiver last offseason before bad luck on Aug. 6, the morning before his 25th birthday.

Alexander suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear while running a route during a one-on-one drill. Nine days later, he had reconstructive surgery. Dr. James Andrews, who performed safety Brandon Taylor and linebacker Melvin Ingram's ACL reconstructions earlier in 2013, did the operation at his institute in Gulf Breeze, Fla.

When rehabbing, Alexander remained an active teammate.

The fourth-year veteran stayed in San Diego. He attended meetings and went on road trips.

This second surgery sets him back, but he is working to play in the 2014 season, sources said.

January's surgery was the second to Alexander's right knee. He's had five operations, which varied in invasivness, to his left. Moving forward, his status is one question mark for the Chargers' wide receiver corps.

Tenth-year veteran Malcom Floyd suffered a neck injury last September in Philadelphia. It ended his season and could possibly his career, although the latter has yet to be medically determined. Floyd, under contract for two more seasons, has said he hopes to continue playing. His physical ability to do so will become more clear in the coming weeks.

The Chargers also have a decision to make on Eddie Royal. He had 47 catches for 631 yards and a career-high eight touchdowns last season, but they would save $4.5 million in cap space with his release.

Just give him an invite to camp and go from there. It sure is a drag to see the kid go through all of this, it would be nice if he was able to get a few good years in with the Bolts.

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He won't make it to camp.. But its probably a blessing for us if he doesn't.. I'm pretty sure all of his NFL injuries have occurred in camp.. So if he can rehab and start a rigorous workout in July-August, and be ready for a mid-September, early October return, we could see what we got 2 years with him.

At the end of their professional football careers, will Alexander have more knee surgeries
than Rivers has kids? They are currently tied, if I'm not mistaken with 7 apiece.
My money is on Rivers beating out Alexander narrowly....9 to 8.

Damn So at best Dax could play NFL ball by Sept. I sure would love to keep a spot on the roster for him, but I would also love to keep Eddie, KA and VB, AND I hope Malcolm can have enuff health to at least get another year to try his hand at gettin to a SB.

Gonna be tough, cuz I love new blood at WR. This kinda sucks knowing that realistically M-80 or Eddie will probably be lost.

Seven surgeries makes my wonder why the F**k this guy would ever want to step onto the field again. All that dough isn't worth squat if you're limping and dealing with chronic pain the rest of your life. Priorities, man!

He sent out a tweet just today that suggested he fully intends to try to play again. He thanked all the QBs he'd caught passes from in his career by their jersey number and ended it with "#?". That would certainly suggest he intends to try and play again.

He sent out a tweet just today that suggested he fully intends to try to play again. He thanked all the QBs he'd caught passes from in his career by their jersey number and ended it with "#?". That would certainly suggest he intends to try and play again.

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I'm sure he does, but it'll be another whole year before we'll know if he actually can make a comeback.